If you’re looking for top-quality watercolor paints for professionals, you have come to the right place. As an artist or a professional, it’s important to invest in high-quality supplies and tools to produce exceptional work that stands out. The same goes for watercolor paints. To create beautiful, vibrant, and long-lasting watercolor paintings, choosing the right paints is crucial. However, with so many different brands and types of watercolor paints available in the market, it can be a daunting task to find the perfect one.
Before buying watercolor paints for professionals, there are several factors you should consider. Firstly, the color range and pigment quality of the paints are important. Look for paints that are highly pigmented, lightfast, and offer a wide range of colors. Secondly, the consistency and texture of the paints should suit your painting style and techniques. Thin and transparent paints work well for delicate washes, while thicker and more opaque paints are better for bold brushwork. Lastly, consider the packaging of the paints and ensure they are easy to use and store.
Are you tired of using watercolor paints that lack vibrancy and depth? Are you looking for the perfect watercolor paints that will bring your paintings to life? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you on how to choose the best watercolor paints for professionals. What factors should you consider before investing in a set of paints? What are the best brands in the market? How can you make the most out of your paints? Keep reading to find out.
10 Best Watercolor Paints For Professionals
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Ideal for professional artists and crafters seeking high-quality, blendable watercolor pigments that show up on dark paper.
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This product is ideal for introductory watercolor use with its set of six blue, transparent, and yellow 5ml tubes.
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The product is ideal for professional artists or individuals who prefer high-quality watercolor paints in a portable and organized package.
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The product is ideal for artists, beginners, hobbyists, and students who are looking for high-quality watercolor paints in a portable metal box.
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Ideal for professional watercolor painting, with a rich and deep blue hue suitable for a variety of subjects.
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The product is ideal for professional watercolor painting on-the-go with a compact field box containing 12 half pans.
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This product is ideal for professional watercolor artists who require a high-quality set of colors in a portable tin case.
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Ideal for professional artists and crafters seeking high-quality, AP-certified watercolors in a wide range of vibrant colors. Made in Japan.
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It is ideal for artists who want a portable watercolor paint set with a variety of unique colors.
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Ideal for artists and painters seeking high-quality watercolor paints in a variety of colors.
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1. Handcrafted Japan Watercolors: Kuretake Gansai Tambi
Experience the exquisite beauty and vibrant colors of traditional Japanese watercolor with the 36-color Gansai Tambi set. Each pan is filled with smooth, vivid and opaque paint that dries with a slight shiny finish, creating stunningly beautiful artwork.
The Gansai Tambi watercolors are perfect for flexible techniques, as they do not leave hard edges when dry, making flat-washes easy to accomplish while also allowing for easy layering with proper technique.
The large size of each pan makes it easy for artists to use both small and large brushes with ease, giving them the freedom to create their desired brushstrokes.
The set comes with a protective sheet that not only keeps your pans from shifting but can also be used as a palette mixer. Additionally, each box includes a color chart that allows artists to quickly swatch and distinguish between the colors.
The water-based pigment is ACMI-certified, ensuring that it is safe and non-toxic. The elegant green washi overlay of the simple cardboard packaging makes the Gansai Tambi set perfect for gift-giving to any artist or anyone who appreciates stunningly beautiful artwork.
- Vibrant and opaque colors based on those seen in nature
- Smooth and non-granulated paint that dries with a slight shiny finish
- Flexible techniques that allow for easy flat-washes and layering
- Large pan size that accommodates both small and large brushes with ease
- Includes a protective sheet and color chart
- ACMI-certified water-based pigment
- Elegant green washi overlay makes it perfect for gift-giving
2. Vibrant Watercolor Set: Daniel Smith Essentials.
DANIEL SMITH is a manufacturer of high-quality watercolors that are highly praised and used by artists worldwide. With over 240 colors available, it has the largest range of watercolors of any manufacturer. Among the collection are the PrimaTek watercolors that are made from minerals, such as Amethyst, and unique colors like Moonglow, which are exclusive to DANIEL SMITH. Additionally, there are Luminescent Watercolors that can capture the luminescent colors that exist in nature, which regular watercolors cannot replicate.
For those who want to try DANIEL SMITH Watercolors, the Essentials Watercolor Set is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. This set includes six 5ml tubes of watercolor that are just the right size to experiment with. The compact size makes it convenient to take along for plein air painting, and it also makes a great gift for artists. The set includes three cool primary colors: Hansa Yellow Light, Quinacridone Rose, and Phthalo Blue (GS), and three warm primary colors: New Gamboge, Pyrrol Scarlet, and French Ultramarine. With these six essential colors, artists can mix a vast range of secondary oranges, greens, and violets to create any painting they desire. Mixing colors is one of the foundations of painting, and DANIEL SMITH has made it easy by selecting these six colors for artists to experiment with. Whether you want to paint landscapes, still lifes, portraits, or anything else, this set has got you covered. Get started painting with the DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Essentials Set.
- Wide range of over 240 colors to choose from
- Includes unique PrimaTek and Luminescent Watercolors
- Perfect for beginners and professionals
- Conveniently sized for plein air painting
- Great gift for artists
3. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paint Set, Lightweight Sketchers' Box, 12 X 5ml Tubes
The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is a must-have for artists who are looking for the widest and most balanced choice of pigments with the greatest possible permanence. This water color offers unparalleled brilliance, transparency, and purity of color that cannot be found in any other water color. The lightweight tube box contains 12 x 5ml tubes of Professional Water Color, making it an ideal choice for artists who are always on the go.
Each tube is filled with high-quality pigments that are carefully selected to provide artists with the best possible color. The pigments are highly pigmented, allowing for a wide range of color mixing and layering. The result is a water color that is vibrant, rich, and long-lasting.
The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is perfect for artists who demand the highest quality in their work. Whether you are a professional artist or a beginner, this water color will help you achieve the results you desire.
- Wide and balanced choice of pigments
- Greatest possible permanence
- Unparalleled brilliance, transparency, and purity of color
- Highly pigmented pigments for a wide range of color mixing and layering
- Vibrant, rich, and long-lasting colors
4. 24 Vibrant Watercolor Paint Set For Artists
Indulge in the world of colors with this 24-piece watercolor paint set, perfect for professional artists, hobbyists, and travelers. The set boasts ultra-pure pigments that blend flawlessly and retain their vibrancy for a long time. The high transparency and strong tinting create a seamless painting experience.
Crafted from extra-fine gum arabic, these professional-grade watercolors are easy to mix, lightfast, and permanent. The paints are tested and analyzed to ensure purity and permanence with bright colors, good transparency, high saturation, and smooth drawing. The set also offers a selection of unique colors that are bound to pique your interest.
The lightweight pink tin is functional yet beautiful and convenient to carry on the go. You can customize your color palette by removing or replacing each watercolor pan individually. The set also has a mixing palette inside the lid that is easy to wash, making it the perfect companion for artists on the move.
- Contains ultra-pure pigments that blend flawlessly and retain vibrancy for a long time
- Crafted from extra-fine gum arabic for easy mixing, lightfastness, and permanence
- Selection of unique colors available
- Customizable color palette with individual watercolor pans that can be removed or replaced
- Lightweight and convenient to carry on the go
5. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor, 14ml (0.47-Oz) Tube, French Ultramarine
The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is the perfect choice for artists who want the finest watercolor with the highest degree of permanence. This watercolor offers the widest range of pigments, ensuring that artists can achieve any color they desire. The watercolor is classified as series 2, with a color code of 263 and a color index of PB 29.
With a permanence rating of A (iii), this watercolor is extremely durable and resistant to fading. It has an opacity rating of transparent, which is ideal for artists who want to create layered and subtle effects. Each tube contains 0.47oz (14ml) of paint, providing plenty of material for artists to work with.
This Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color conforms to ASTM D4236 standards, ensuring that it is safe and non-toxic. It is a top-quality watercolor that is perfect for professional artists and hobbyists alike.
- Offers the widest range of pigments
- Highest degree of permanence
- Transparent opacity rating is ideal for layered effects
- Conforms to ASTM D4236 standards
6. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paint Set, Field Box, 12 Half Pans
The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is the perfect choice for artists who value a wide range of pigments and superior permanence. This water color is unparalleled in its brilliance, transparency, and purity of color. The compact and lightweight design of this pocket-sized box makes it an ideal choice for outdoor artists. It features a number of useful mixing surfaces, along with an additional sliding palette and mediums dish.
The Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is made from the highest quality pigments, ensuring that the colors are bright, vibrant, and long-lasting. The range of pigments available in this water color is unmatched, giving artists the widest and most balanced choice of colors. The water color is also highly transparent, allowing for easy layering and blending.
The pocket-sized box is designed to be portable and convenient. It features a number of useful mixing surfaces, including an additional sliding palette and mediums dish. This makes it easy for artists to create custom blends and mixtures on the go. The box also includes a brush and a palette knife, making it a complete set for outdoor painting.
Overall, the Winsor & Newton Professional Water Color is an excellent choice for artists who demand the best quality and versatility in their water colors. Its wide range of pigments, superior permanence, and convenient design make it a top choice for both indoor and outdoor painting.
- Wide range of pigments
- Superior permanence
- Brilliant, transparent, and pure colors
- Compact and lightweight design
- Useful mixing surfaces and additional sliding palette
- Includes brush and palette knife
7. Sargent Art Watercolor Set: Professional 48 Colors
Experience professional-grade watercolors with this set of 48 rich colors, perfect for artists of all levels. Each color is made of the purest pigments for exceptional color intensity and superb dilution, ensuring that your artwork will stand out. The set comes in a convenient tin storage and carry case, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. Whether you're working on a large project or a small sketch, this set has everything you need to bring your vision to life.
These watercolors are perfect for a wide range of applications, including painting, sketching, and even calligraphy. The high-quality pigments ensure that your colors stay true, and the superb dilution means that you can achieve a wide range of effects. The convenient tin storage and carry case keep your watercolors organized and protected, making it easy to take them with you wherever you go.
Overall, this set of 48 professional-grade watercolors is a must-have for any artist. The rich colors, pure pigments, and convenient storage make it an excellent value for the price.
- 48 rich colors included
- Made of the purest pigments for color intensity and superb dilution
- Convenient tin storage and carry case
8. 48-Color Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set: Professional Quality
Experience the traditional Japanese watercolor with Gansai Tambi Pans! These watercolors are inspired by the vivid and opaque colors seen in nature. The pans are filled with smooth paint that dries with a slight shiny finish, providing you with a high-quality painting experience.
Achieve flexible techniques with Gansai Tambi Pans! These paints do not leave hard edges when dry, making flat-washes easy to accomplish. With proper technique, these paints are easy to layer, giving you excellent results every time.
Enjoy brush dexterity with Gansai Tambi Pans! The pans are larger than typical watercolor pans, providing you with the ability to use small or large brushes quite easily. This feature makes it possible to create detailed artwork or larger pieces with ease.
Gansai Tambi Pans come with a palette and a color chart! Each set features a protective sheet that not only keeps your pans from shifting but can also be used as a palette mixer. A color chart is also included in each box, making it easy for you to swatch the colors and distinguish between them quickly.
Give the gift of Gansai Tambi Pans! These watercolors are packaged in a simple cardboard box with an elegant green washi overlay, making them perfect for gift-giving. The water-based pigment is ACMI-certified, ensuring that you are getting a high-quality product.
- Vivid and opaque colors inspired by nature
- Smooth paint that dries with a slight shiny finish
- Flexible techniques that do not leave hard edges when dry
- Larger pans providing brush dexterity for both small and large brushes
- Protective sheet that can be used as a palette mixer
- Color chart included for easy color swatching
- Beautiful packaging ideal for gift-giving
- ACMI-certified water-based pigment
9. Travel Inspire Watercolors
Whether you are an experienced artist or a beginner, this watercolor paint palette is an excellent choice for creating masterpieces with professional quality pigment. The set includes 12 carefully selected watercolor colors designed to produce hundreds of color mixes, even for beginners. Each color is unique in its velvety texture, producing saturated and highly pigmented brushstrokes with ease. The solid watercolor pigment is made with high-quality gum arabic, ensuring that the colors are enduring and intense. Never chalky or grainy, these watercolor paints are beginner-friendly but professional quality, producing excellent results with every brushstroke.
The metal watercolor palette features flower watercolor artwork and a cheerful reminder to 'make art for joy's sake'. The vibrant watercolor palette case and rose gold detailing are unique and inspiring, making it stand out from other watercolor pan sets on the market. The compact travel watercolor palette features over 30 square inches of color mixing space, and the removable paint tray provides even more mixing space, allowing each of the watercolor pans to be removed, reorganized, and refilled. This watercolor travel set is an essential addition to any artist's watercolor supplies.
This custom watercolor paints palette includes a varied range of water paints, from the more opaque (like gouache) to the most transparent, allowing artists to experiment with endless options as they create.
- High-quality gum arabic ensures that the colors are enduring and intense
- 12 carefully selected watercolor colors designed to produce hundreds of color mixes
- Vibrant watercolor palette case and rose gold detailing inspire creativity
- Compact travel watercolor palette with over 30 square inches of color mixing space
- Custom watercolor paints range from the more opaque to the most transparent
10. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint, Plus Set 24 Half Pans, Set Of 24
The Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours are an excellent range of water colours that are designed to meet high-quality standards while keeping the costs to an economical level. These watercolours are made by replacing some of the more costly pigments with less expensive alternatives, ensuring affordability without any compromise on quality. The Cotman Water Colours offer excellent tinting strength, good transparency, and are easy to work with. They are perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
One of the key features of the Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours is the PLUS cartridge system. This system offers great pan security and versatility, ensuring that the colours stay in place and are easy to use. The set also includes a Cotman Series 111 No.3 brush, which is perfect for creating fine details and intricate designs.
This watercolour set contains 24 Cotman Water Colour half pans in a range of colours. The set includes Lemon Yellow Hue, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Cadmium Orange Hue, Cadmium Red Pale Hue, Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Alizarin Crimson Hue, Purple Lake, Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue Hue, Cerulean Blue Hue, Intense Blue (Phthalo Blue), Viridian Hue, Emerald, Hooker's Green Dark, Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna, Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Payne's Gray, Lamp Black, and Chinese White. With so many colours to choose from, this set is perfect for artists of all levels.
- Affordable and high-quality watercolours
- Good transparency and excellent tinting strength
- Easy to work with and perfect for beginners and professionals
- PLUS cartridge system offers great pan security and versatility
- Contains a range of 24 colours
Best Watercolor Paints For Professionals FAQs
How do different types of watercolor paper affect the appearance and performance of professional-grade watercolor paints?
Watercolor paper is a crucial element in the watercolor painting process. It affects both the appearance and performance of professional-grade watercolor paints. Different types of watercolor paper have different textures, thicknesses, and absorbency levels that impact the final result of the painting.
The texture of watercolor paper can be rough, cold-pressed, or hot-pressed. Rough paper gives a grainy and textured appearance, while cold-pressed paper has a slightly smoother surface, and hot-pressed paper is the smoothest. The texture of the paper affects how the paint sits on the surface and how it blends with other colors.
The thickness of the watercolor paper also plays a significant role in the final result. Thicker paper is more durable, allowing for more layers of paint, while thinner paper is more delicate and prone to tearing. The absorbency level of the paper determines how much water the paper can hold and how the colors blend together.
Professional-grade watercolor paints are more vibrant and have higher pigment concentrations than student-grade paints. The performance of these paints is affected by the quality of the paper used. High-quality watercolor paper allows the paints to flow smoothly and evenly, while lower-quality paper may cause the paints to bleed or become muddy.
In conclusion, the type of watercolor paper used affects the appearance and performance of professional-grade watercolor paints. It is important to choose the right paper that complements the painting style and achieves the desired result.
What are some advanced techniques or methods for using watercolor paints in a professional setting?
Watercolor painting is a unique and versatile medium that requires a delicate touch and a thorough understanding of its properties. As a professional artist, you can improve your watercolor techniques by employing some advanced methods.
One such technique is using wet-on-wet painting, which involves applying a wash of water to the paper before adding color. This technique allows the colors to bleed and blend seamlessly, creating a soft and dreamy effect.
Another advanced technique is layering colors to create depth and dimension. This method involves building up layers of color, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This technique can produce stunning results and is useful in creating realistic landscapes or portraits.
Additionally, understanding color theory is crucial in watercolor painting. Knowing how to mix and blend colors to create various hues and shades is essential in creating a cohesive and harmonious painting.
Lastly, using high-quality materials such as paper, brushes, and paints can significantly enhance your watercolor painting. Investing in professional-grade supplies will not only improve your work but also ensure its longevity.
In conclusion, mastering these advanced techniques and methods will help you achieve a professional level of skill in watercolor painting. Practice, patience, and experimentation are key to refining your craft and creating stunning watercolor masterpieces.
What are the best brands of watercolor paints for professional artists?
There are several brands of watercolor paints available in the market that cater to professional artists. The selection of the best brand depends on personal preference, budget, and the quality of the paints.
One of the most popular brands among professional watercolor artists is Winsor & Newton. Their paints are known for their high pigment concentration, excellent lightfastness, and vibrant colors. Another well-known brand is Daniel Smith, which offers a wide range of colors, including unique and vibrant shades. The brand's paints are made with high-quality pigments, making them ideal for professional artists.
Holbein is another brand that is popular among watercolor artists. They offer a range of colors that have excellent lightfastness and are made with high-quality pigments. The brand's paints are also known for their smooth consistency and ability to blend well.
Other popular brands that cater to professional artists include Schmincke, Sennelier, and M. Graham & Co. These brands offer a wide range of colors, high pigment concentration, and excellent lightfastness, making them ideal for professional artists.
In conclusion, the best brand of watercolor paints for professional artists depends on personal preference, budget, and the quality of the paints. It is recommended to try different brands and experiment with various colors to find the best fit for individual needs.
What is the difference between student-grade and professional-grade watercolor paints?
Student-grade and professional-grade watercolor paints differ in terms of quality, pigmentation, and price. Student-grade watercolors are designed for beginners and hobbyists who are just starting to explore watercolor painting. These paints are made with less pigment and more binder, resulting in a lower price point. Student-grade watercolor paints are also easier to work with, as they tend to have a smoother consistency and are more forgiving when mistakes are made.
On the other hand, professional-grade watercolor paints are formulated for experienced artists who require high-quality, vibrant colors with excellent lightfastness and longevity. These paints are made with a higher concentration of pigment and less binder, which makes them more expensive but also more intense and long-lasting. Professional-grade watercolors are also more transparent, allowing artists to layer colors and create more depth and richness in their paintings.
Overall, the main difference between student-grade and professional-grade watercolor paints is the quality of the materials used and the resulting colors. While student-grade paints are a great starting point for beginners, professional-grade paints are a must-have for serious artists who demand the best possible results from their watercolor paintings.
What qualities should professional watercolor paints have, such as pigmentation and transparency?
When it comes to professional watercolor paints, there are a few key qualities that artists should look for. One of the most important is pigmentation. Professional-grade watercolor paints should be highly pigmented, meaning that they contain a high concentration of color pigment. This allows artists to create vibrant, bold colors that can be layered and blended to create a wide range of shades and hues.
Another important quality of professional watercolor paints is transparency. Transparent watercolors allow light to pass through the layers of paint, creating a luminous, glowing effect. This is particularly important for artists who want to create delicate washes or build up layers of color to create depth and dimension in their paintings.
In addition to these qualities, professional watercolor paints should also be made with high-quality ingredients that ensure consistency, durability, and longevity. This includes using pure pigments, high-quality binders, and additives that support the flow and drying of the paint.
Overall, the best professional watercolor paints are those that offer rich pigmentation, transparency, and high-quality ingredients that allow artists to create stunning works of art.